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3 Buildings In The Chicago Area Have Been Named In The State’s Most Endangered Historic Places
From old bars and historic movie theaters to iconic industrial buildings, when a Chicago mainstay closes or is demolished it plucks at the heartstrings knowing we’ve lost a key component of the city’s fabric. You need only look at the new 400 Theaters or the Blommer Chocolate factory’s recent closure for a reminder of that. Luckily Chicago is a city that strives to protect its history and identity and in recent years we’ve seen the likes of the Ramova Theatre and the Morton Salt complex reborn as exciting new establishments. Non-profit organizations are consistently fighting for historic preservation by spotlighting those buildings most under threat and now Landmarks Illinois, the state’s leading voice for historic preservation, has released its 2024 list of the Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois.
The Ultimate Guide To Chicago Farmer’s Market 2024 Season
It’s beginning to feel a lot like summer—the air is muggy, and droplets have begun to collide with the city almost every other day. There are so many activities to look forward to in the month of June, such as movies in the park, free outdoor concerts, etc. An early awaited affair kicked off a few weeks early—the Chicago Farmer’s Markets. The Chicago Farmer’s Markets for the 2024 season have officially begun. These beloved neighborhood markets feature countless vendors selling meat, cheese, dairy, fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, coffee, juice, ready-to-eat meals, and more. Here’s the 2024 schedule: Address: 5917 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660 Time: 3 pm – 7 pm
Five Reasons You Have To Check Out This Awe-Inspiring Titanic Exhibition Before It Closes
Titanic: The Exhibition has traveled around the world in places like Macau, Moscow, Latvia, and Sydney. Now it’s dropped anchor in Chicago, and has had a phenomenal run so far. But what exactly should you expect at Titanic: The Exhibition, and what’s made it such a beloved experience? Below are our top five reasons why this moving exhibit is worth exploring. Titanic: The Exhibition has recreated sections of the liner—many that will be recognizable to fans of the many shows and movies made about the ship. This will put you in the shoes of the passengers and crew as you...
Every Chicago Traveler Needs To Review This 6-Month Passport Rule
If you’re a Chicagoan traveling internationally, we have some insight for you in this summer. You may think that since your U.S. passport hasn’t expired, it can be used for international travel, and you’re good to go on your trip. However, that might not be the case. In fact, certain places require a passport with a validity of at least three to six months from the date of entry. Don’t let the potential stress and inconvenience of being unable to board a plane for your dream trip due to passport issues ruin your travel plans. Take the proactive step of checking...
Tickets Are Available To This Colossal Dinosaur Exhibit Opening Soon In Chicago
The Jurassic-themed exhibition is coming to Chicago just in time for the summer and you can snag your tickets now! With over 80 specimens of life-sized moving replicas such as T-rex, Stegosaurus and Ankylosaurus, Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience promises to give you an out-of-this-world experience! This Dinos Alive exhibition will transport you back millions of years to an age where the largest animals to ever set foot on our planet existed. You will go on a fascinating journey where you get to meet and interact with massive, life-sized moving dinosaurs. It is a blend of moving replicas of dinosaurs and virtual ones. There will also be a unique virtual aquarium that takes you on a dive deep into the depth of the seas where you get to experience what it’s like to be in the presence of some of the most magnificent sea giants!
New Chicago Spot Named One Of The Most Beautiful Restaurants In The USA
Chicago’s hospitality scene is no stranger to awards and accolades. Bars and restaurants around the city are consistently picking up national recognition for excelling in various areas. Only last month, 3 Chicago establishments were named in a ranking of the 50 best bars in the country, and before that, 2 Chicago breweries made a list of the 10 best new breweries in the country. Now another establishment has been honored in OpenTable’s selection of the 50 most beautiful restaurants in the US. “In honor of PEOPLE’s 50th anniversary, the editors at OpenTable and PEOPLE teamed up to crown 50 restaurants as the country’s most beautiful” read the release. “These super-stylish stunners deliver unforgettable dining experiences. There are mountaintop chalets with modern rustic touches, glammed-up Art Deco mansions with a view, and mirror-and-glass paneled sky-high stunners. These are our picks for the 50 most beautiful restaurants in the US.”
Lincoln Park’s Blissful ‘Uncorked’ Wine Crawl Returns This Week
In a thriving metropolis like Chicago, you’ll find fantastic cocktail bars, bustling brewpubs, and places for a top tier glass of wine all over the city. When it comes to the latter, however, there will be a particularly alluring assemblage of the city’s best wines concentrated in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood this week for the annual Lincoln Park Uncorked. Taking place from 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 9th, Lincoln Park Uncorked: An Armitage – Halsted Wine Stroll offers the perfect moment to experience some of the city’s best wine vendors in one single day while simultaneously perusing products at local businesses and sampling light seasonal fare. “Gather your fellow wine aficionados for Lincoln Park Uncorked: An Armitage – Halsted Wine Stroll!” reads the release. “Take a picturesque stroll through one of Chicago’s most charming neighborhoods while stopping at local businesses to sample over 30 seasonal wines and light fare from Lincoln Park eateries. From bold reds to crisp whites, there’s a taste for every palate.”
North Avenue Beach’s Castaways Will Reopen This Month Following An Extensive $3 Million Renovation
It’s the time of the year that Chicago’s best beaches and top riverwalk restaurants begin thriving once again as the weather warms up and people flock to the city’s most popular waterfront retreats. One such waterfront retreat can be found down on North Avenue Beach where a boat-shaped restaurant and bar has long been synonymous with kicking back during the summer months and offering Chicagoans the perfect place to enjoy the Chicago Air & Water Show. After closing in June of 2023 to undergo an extensive $3 million renovation, the popular 22,000-square-foot Castaways will be returning towards the end of the month with a new look, a new name, a new menu, and a new flex. Previously known as Castaways Bar & Grill, the revamped boat-shaped bar and restaurant will reopen as “Castaways Beach Club” on Memorial Day weekend sporting a new layout with new dining decks, new bar areas, and cabanas with bottle service for rent.
The Spirited “We Call It Flamenco” Is Coming To Inspire Audiences In Chicago
Not only is flamenco technically complex but it also captures the essence of Spain. Local customs flow in the fandango, las cantiñas capture the soul of Cadiz, and the bailaora or dancer captures all the passion and fire to be found at the heart of Spanish culture. For an evening of rose petals, guitar music, captivating dances, and more in Chicago, discover We Call It Flamenco. After dazzling audiences in other cities around the world, including Paris and Rome, this special performance is taking place at the Arts Center of Oak Park. From perfected palos to lively melodies, Chicagoans are invited to journey to Andalusia on select dates over the coming months. Firstly, if you’re unfamiliar with flamenco, know that it is one of the most difficult dances to master which is what makes We Call It Flamenco so unique. Professional artists will take you through a four-act show featuring some of the highlights of this traditional art form.
Have A Taste Of Argentina At The Passionate “We Call It Tango” Show Coming Soon To Chicago
Tango is an unspoken language where two bodies come together in a sensual dance. Accompanied by haunting and dynamic music, it tells tales of love, loss and longing. The captivating art form is about to cross the Atlantic and come to you straight from Barrio de Palermo in Argentina, thanks to the fascinating “We Call It Tango” show in Chicago. These performances are set to take place at the Arts Center of Oak Park, a prime example of Neoclassical architecture. With such an incredible venue, as well as gifted dancers and musicians, it’s looking to be an amazing evening of music and dance, so secure your spot now for places are limited. “We Call It Tango” is a unique show made up of three acts. It combines 13 popular tangos and milongas performed by a talented pianist and a gifted bandoneon player with passionate dances. The performance is an ode to the feeling and sensitivity of the authentic Argentine tango, so you can expect to see many ochos (figure eights), planeos (pivoting on one leg with the other leg stretched out) and lustradas (rubbing of foot up and down partner’s leg) on the stage.
Inside Fulton Market’s Stunning New French Additions: La Serre and Bar La Rue
You might find yourself hanging at the corner of Green Street for the foreseeable future. La Serre and Bar La Rue, DineAmic Hospitality’s latest restaurant concepts, offer a luxurious ambiance and a mouth-watering menu in Fulton Market. Starting with La Serre—which elicits a European escape. As you ascend the stairs to La Serre, a lush, vibrant open-air greenhouse unfolds—a perfect embodiment of its translation, ‘The Greenhouse.’ This unique and inviting restaurant, a tribute to Coastal French-Mediterranean cuisine, is set in a blooming Bohemian backdrop that will leave you in awe. Inspired by the coastal regions of Saint-Tropez, La Serre is lavishly decorated with a botanical verdant ceiling, antiqued brass chandeliers, Venetian plaster, English flower trenches, floral booths, and antique mosaic tiles reminiscent of the French Riviera. The menu features an elegant list of Amuses and Petites, an abundant raw section with Chilled Oyster and tuna crudo, and impressive dinner plates, including their famous Caviar Nest, a light and flavorful pasta topped with opulent caviar.
This Stunning Dinosaur Exhibit Is Stomping Its Way Into Chicago
With over 80 specimens including life-sized moving dinosaur replicas, Dinos Alive Exhibit: An Immersive Experience is calling the Windy City home! Secure your tickets by signing up for the waitlist here. Tickets officially go on sale on May 7th at 9 a.m. This colossal experience takes place at the Exhibition Hub Art Center Chicago (located at 2367 W Logan Blvd). So get ready to take a trip back in time for only a limited time, see massive structures of a T-rex, Stegosaurus, Velociraptor and more! The experience is a combination of moving models of dinosaurs and virtual ones. There will also be a virtual aquarium that takes you on a deep dive to see some serious sea giants, using video-mapping technology.
This Picturesque Chicago Beach Was Named Best In The US
When you think of the best beach in the US—Chicago isn’t the first place that comes to mind. You’ll probably think of the cashmere-soft sand colliding with iridescent waves along the coast of San Diego or stretches of velvety white being caressed by warm blue water in Hawaii. However, Travel + Leisure recently named Oak Street Beach as one of the best beaches in Chicago. While few urban areas are notable for stunning shorelines, this Midwestern metropolis passed all the criteria when it came to impressive shorelines in the US. Travel + Leisure noted that the stunning backdrop to Oak Street Beach—the Chicago skyline—catches the eyes instantly. Along with a variety of food from local vendors, it’s one of the few places where lounge chairs, umbrellas, and cabanas are available for rent. Whether you want to lay on the smooth sand and read a book in the sweltering sun or gaze at the bikers, walkers, and roller-skaters gliding along the lakefront path, its calm atmosphere is quintessential for relaxing. Oak Street Beach is located at 1000 N. Lake Shore Drive, between Oak Street and Lake Michigan, near the Gold Coast and Streeterville neighborhoods.
This Charming European-Style Town Near Chicago Is An Ideal Getaway This Spring
When you wander down the cobblestone sidewalks of Holland, Michigan—lined with local shops, galleries, eateries, and brew pubs—it will be easy to forget that you’re not only in the States but only a few hours away from Chicago. The enchanting town echoes the bright and airy Dutch architecture and is perfect if you desire a European escape. When people think of Holland, what usually comes to mind is the Netherlands—the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens, the Schiedam Jenever Mills, and the Dutch villages. However, you don’t need a passport or international plane tickets to immerse yourself in all those alluring tourist destinations—in Holland, Michigan, you can indulge in the Dutch experiences from sprawling tulip gardens to picturesque beachside windmills. Holland is on the shore of Lake Macatawa in Michigan. Nestled into the wildly stunning shoreline, the multifaceted town is known for many things—the springtime tulip, summer festivals, fall orchards, and winter celebrations. If you want to road trip to Holland from Chicago, it takes about 2 hours and 25 minutes to drive there, and it is around 150.8 miles from Chicago.
8 Memorable Ways To Celebrate Your Mom For Mother’s Day In Chicago This Year
Mother’s Day is nearly here, and if you haven’t thought about some ways to honor the mom in your life, no need to stress! Keep scrolling to find out our favorite ways to celebrate Mother’s Day in Chicago, which falls on Sunday, May 12th this year. From a fabulous brunch to a day at the spa, we’ve got you covered to make her feel nothing but pampered. Chicago is brimming with incredible brunch spots to take mom to this year. For something glam, don’t miss BLVD’s brand new decadent brunch menu including their King Crab Benedict, TK Chopped Salad, and...
This Exhilarating Drive-Through Safari Is A 1.5 Hour Drive From Chicago
Lake Geneva is notably one of Chicagoans’ favored small-town getaway destinations—a scintillating lake, charming shops downtown, and sumptuous eateries. However, even with all those alluring attractions, the city has something even more enticing—the exhilarating Lake Geneva Safari. Just imagine wandering through the plains with a Giraffe bending its neck toward you or gazing at black-and-white-coated zebras frolicking through the grasslands. Lake Geneva Safari is truly like nothing else. Most animals are restricted to small enclosures at zoos and theme parks, and visitors only catch small glimpses through a clouded window. However, during Geneva Safari, visitors get to see the animals roaming freely. The wildlife sanctuary allows herds of animals to wander and interact with one another on a vast acreage as you slowly drive through the exploration. Founded by “Jungle” Jay Christie, a renowned exotic animal expert in the state, the park is a family-owned business. Visitors can see the world’s diminishing animal breeds in their natural habitats and promote conservation efforts to protect these endangered species.
The Pros And Cons Of Gifting Mom Candlelight Tickets For Mother’s Day
I love my mom, sometimes I even watch the Facebook videos she sends me. But when it comes to Mother’s Day, I always end up contemplating whether a meaningless bouquet, overpriced spa treatments or sweet-smelling bath bombs count as a thoughtful gift. However, this year I’m saying “thanks for putting up with me all these years” with a well-thought-out gift. And I’ve concluded that tickets to a Candlelight concert is a thoughtful gift for mom. If you’re not so sure, no worries. To save you from umming and ahhing, I’ve made a list of the pros and cons of gifting your mom Candlelight for Mother’s Day—both for you and her. But, if you’re already sold on the idea, go no further. Follow the link below, check out the concerts and choose what you think is her favorite. There are even Candlelight gift cards! What better way to honor mom than with a child-free haven disguised as a concert? A Candlelight concert is a mini-vacation from the chaos of parent and adulthood where she can sit back and bask in the glory of uninterrupted bliss. No dirty diapers or sibling quarrels, no inbox full of emails, just mom and her favorite tunes.
Umaga Bakehouse Brings The Sweetness Of The Philippines To Chicago
Umaga Bakehouse, a recent addition to Chicago’s culinary landscape, offers a unique twist on the traditional Filipino bakery experience. This vibrant establishment, serving a variety of Filipino delicacies, has quickly become a favorite among the Filipino community and beyond, thanks to its authentic yet innovative approach. Umaga, “translated to “morning” in Tagalog and inspired by the more formal Filipino greeting “Magandang Umaga,” encapsulates infinite fresh possibilities at the commencement of each new day. However, the story of Umaga goes beyond its name. Bakers and spouses Robert and Kissel Fagaraga first crossed paths while working together, sharing a passion for baking and an appreciation for their Filipino culture—embarking on a journey into Chicago’s culinary scene. Inspired by the rich heritage of Filipino cuisine, Umaga Bakehouse’s menu is rooted in tradition while subtly embracing modernity. Delectable signature items include the Pandesal and Ensaymada, alongside traditional favorites like pan de coco and ube-infused delicacies.
The Grandeur Of Downton Abbey Comes To Life At This Greater Chicago Exhibition
As the highest-rated PBS drama of all time, Downton Abbey has captured the hearts of many, reaching over 26 million viewers in its final season. And, the critically acclaimed series continues to enchant viewers today. We’re excited to announce that due to popular demand Downton Abbey: The Exhibition will remain open at Westfield Old Orchard in Skokie, IL through July 7th! Taking fans on a fascinating journey into the world of the award-winning period drama, Downton Abbey: The Exhibition transports you straight into post-Edwardian England. Visitors can walk through some of the series’ most iconic sets, marvel at more than 60 official costumes, and even gain insight into the era’s significant historical events. Are you ready to get closer to the Crawleys than ever before? Grab your tickets to Downton Abbey: The Exhibition today. Brought to life by Universal Live Entertainment and Imagine Exhibitions, Downton Abbey: The Exhibition features never-before-seen elements from the show to further connect fans with their favorite characters.
Chicago Bears Reveal Plans For $4 Billion Domed Lakefront Stadium
Get ready, Bears fans. The Chicago Bears reported the details and renderings to build a state-of-the-art, domed lakefront stadium. The announcement comes after the team abandoned its previous plans for a suburban Arlington Heights stadium last month. A recreation and cultural campus would anchor the proposed domed lakefront stadium. The plan features a community-centric design with an enormous verdant area, including restaurants, plazas, gardens, paths, baseball fields, and enhanced gathering space. The stadium would be located just south of where Soldier Field sits now. This space would offer more than just a sports venue—it would provide a year-round communal experience for Chicagoans and a unique opportunity to host future Super Bowls, college basketball tournaments, concerts, and more. The Chicago Bears are seeking a combination of public and private funding to cover the substantial costs of this transformative project. The stadium and the surrounding infrastructure are projected to cost over $4 billion. While The Bears will commit over $2 billion, they are seeking the rest to be covered by taxpayers. Learn more about the project at the Bears website.
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Secret Chicago tracks down the best things to do in the city, from quirky restaurants and hidden bars to the best exhibitions, shows and nightlife in Chicago.
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